Clinical Massage MK

11/02/2026

Flexibility and mobility are not the same thing.

Flexibility is about how far a muscle can stretch.
Mobility is about how well you can control movement through that range.

You can be very flexible…
and still feel stiff, unstable, or uncomfortable.

That’s because your body doesn’t just need range.
It needs control.

A lot of people chase stretching when what they’re actually missing is strength and coordination through movement.

That’s often the turning point.

If this makes you rethink how you approach your aches and stiffness, comment HIP and I’ll send you the 7-Day Hip Reset.

10/02/2026

“We take our bodies for granted.”

One of my clients said this during her session.

I’ve been working with her on shoulder pain.

And that one sentence stayed with me for the rest of the day.

It took me straight back to my Achilles injury last year.

Suddenly, very ordinary things became real challenges.

Having a shower felt impossible with a cast on.

Having a bath felt like a workout.
Driving wasn’t an option for months.
Walking was uncomfortable for a long time — and my lower back paid the price too.

Doing this work makes me notice these things more.
Not all the time. Only when I slow down enough to notice.

Every day I meet people with very different stories.
Different pain. Different struggles.
Physical pain, emotional weight, exhaustion.

To some people, my injury might sound minor.
I work with clients facing far bigger challenges.
Perspective matters.

That doesn’t mean anyone’s pain should be brushed aside.

Pain is pain when you’re living with it.

For me, the injury didn’t mean giving up or doing nothing.

It meant adapting.
Finding what I could do.
And steadily working forward from there.

Taking stock doesn’t mean accepting things as they are forever.
It just helps you see where you are — so you can decide what to do next.

If your body has been whispering for a while, it might be worth listening before it starts shouting.

And if you need a hand with your aches or pains, just let us know — we’re here to help.

25/06/2025

“This pain will never go away.”
I’ve heard that phrase so many times from clients. And to be honest, I’ve said similar things to myself too.

When you’ve been dealing with pain for weeks, months, or even years...

it can start to feel like it’s part of who you are.

Not just something happening in your body, but part of your identity.

It becomes “my bad back”... “my dodgy shoulder”... “this thing that just won’t go away.”

But here’s what I’ve come to realise, both from personal experience and years in clinic:

Pain is part of your story. But it doesn’t have to be the ending.

When I ruptured my Achilles, I wanted to bounce back fast. I was angry, frustrated, impatient.

And what made it worse? The thoughts that kept showing up:

“This is taking too long.”
“What if it never gets better?”
“I’m going backwards.”

These kinds of thoughts are what Dr. Amen calls ANTs; Automatic Negative Thoughts.

And just like real ants, they don’t usually show up alone. They bring friends.
And before you know it, they’ve taken over.

That’s why the way you talk to yourself matters just as much as the rehab, the massage, or the stretches.

Your mindset is the soil your recovery grows from.
If it's full of w**ds, it's harder to heal.

Now I pay attention.
When a negative thought pops up, I don’t ignore it, but I don’t feed it either.
I notice it, name it, and then I pick a better line.

Instead of “It’s taking too long,”
“Time is helping me heal and get stronger.”

Instead of “This isn’t working,”
“I’m figuring it out.”

That shift might seem small, but it’s powerful.
Because you’re not “the person with a bad back.”
You’re someone recovering... one step at a time.

So if you’re going through a flare-up, an injury, or a recovery phase that’s just dragging on...

Be gentle with your words.
They shape your experience more than you think.

And if you want support, not just for your muscles, but for your mindset too... we’re here.

💪Clinical Massage for pain + movement
🌿 Reiki for the emotional load that comes with it
📩 Drop me a message if you want to chat

19/06/2025

“What does broccoli have to do with injury recovery?”
More than you’d think.

I’ve been spending time in the garden lately, and waiting for my broccoli to grow reminded me of something important…

🌱 Healing takes time.
You can water, w**d, and nurture, but you can’t force something to grow before it’s ready.

Same goes for my Achilles rehab.
No amount of wishing would speed up the biology. What helped most?
— Letting time do its thing
— Staying mentally steady
— And reaching out for the right support (massage, Reiki, breathwork… even hypnosis).

It’s easy to spiral into “this is taking too long”, but that’s just a mental w**d.
Catch it. Pull it. Keep going.

If you’re in the middle of your recovery journey, from back pain, headaches or injury... you’re not stuck.

You’re just still growing 🌱

📩 DM me if you need support, or just someone to remind you it’s okay to be in the messy middle.

06/06/2025

“Wait… what?!”

That was my reaction reading this MRI study the other day.

Researchers wanted to test how accurate MRI scans really are.

So they sent the same woman with back pain to 10 different clinics for a MRI scan.

The results?
✅ Only 56% of her actual issues were picked up
❌ Nearly half were missed
⚠️ One-third of findings showed up on just one scan

That’s worrying, right?

To double-check, the researchers also did expert-level scans before and after, considered the “gold standard.” When they compared those to the clinic reports, the inconsistency was even clearer.

Now imagine how confusing that would be for the person in pain. One report says there’s a disc bulge. Another doesn’t mention it. A third lists degeneration. Which one do you believe?

👉 The truth is, MRI can be helpful, but it’s not always the best way to understand persistent or non-specific pain.

In fact, scans can sometimes make things worse:

By triggering fear (“I’ve got a slipped disc!”)

By leading to unnecessary treatments

Or by causing people to stop moving altogether

That’s why at Clinical Massage MK, we focus on what actually helps:
🧠 How your pain behaves
🧍‍♂️ How your body moves
🗣️ Your full story, not just what’s on a report

If you’re dealing with back aches, tension, or feeling stuck after a diagnosis that didn’t quite add up…

📩 Struggling with back pain, headaches, tension or stress?
Comment below or message us to find out how we can help.

21/05/2025

Ever feel like your mind is overflowing?

One client came in this week carrying everything — school runs, work stress, dinners, activities, expectations...

She said her head felt crammed. Like there was no space left to think clearly.

After her Reiki session with Zuzana, she sat up and said:
"Ohh my god, how do you do this? I feel like a new person now! Very, very calm, peaceful, and so light. I feel happy! 😊"

Here’s the thing:
You don’t always need more.
Not more coffee. Not another to-do list. Not more motivation.

Sometimes you need to empty the cup — gently release what’s weighing you down.

That’s what Reiki offers: space, stillness, and a full-body reset.

💆‍♀️ Zuzana is offering 15% off your first Reiki session.
15% off your first Reiki session — automatically applied at checkout. Offer ends this month!

16/05/2025

👐 Meet Tess — Our New Therapist (and yes, she’s brilliant) 👐

Big news!

We've got a fantastic new therapist joining the team. Tess will be available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting next week!

She’s trained in the same clinical massage approach we use at the clinic, and brings with her an extensive background in other therapies. Her holistic bodywork approach means she doesn’t just chase the pain — she looks at how everything’s connected, helping you reset and rebalance from the ground up.

I (Pavol) had the first session with her recently… let’s just say, my lower back, tight hips, and overloaded shoulders had a lot to say — especially after my recent football injury (yep, torn Achilles 😬).

And Tess? She handled it like an absolute pro.
I walked out feeling looser, lighter, and a bit less like Robocop doing the morning commute.

🗓 Book your session with Tess now and be one of the first to experience her work!

📲 Book online here: https://www.clinicalmassagemk.co.uk/massage-treatments/

19/04/2025

Did you know that 1 in 6 UK adults suffer from back pain?

The surprising twist: your hips and glutes might be the real culprits! When these muscles are tight or weak, they create a domino effect that lands in your lower back.

I see this daily in my clinic - tight hip flexors from sitting all day and underactive glutes are often the hidden cause of persistent pain.

Ready to break the cycle? Check out my article with insights tht will make you want to act straight away.

https://www.clinicalmassagemk.co.uk/lower-back-pain-could-your-hips-and-glutes-be-the-problem/

Explore effective lower back pain treatments for long-term relief and freedom

10/04/2025

🤯 Myth vs. Reality: Does deep tissue massage HAVE to hurt to be effective?

This is a common misconception about massage therapy! Our latest blog post explores the nuances of Deep Tissue Massage vs. Clinical Massage, explaining how effective treatment is about precision, not pain.

Learn why a skilled therapist prioritises "productive discomfort" over unnecessary pain, and how clinical massage tailors techniques to your body's unique needs.

👉 Read the full article to learn more: https://www.clinicalmassagemk.co.uk/deep-tissue-massage-vs-clinical-massage-whats-the-difference/

❓ Have you ever hesitated to try clinical massage because you want to ‘feel the pressure’ during a massage? You are not alone; share your thoughts in the comments.

Seeking pain relief? Understand the difference between deep tissue massage for muscle tension and clinical massage, a therapeutic approach for injury recovery and pain management. Learn which massage type suits your needs.

08/04/2025

✨ Tired of living with chronic pain? Ever wondered if there's more to massage than just relaxation? 🤔

Our latest blog post explains the difference between Deep Tissue Massage and Clinical Massage, helping you understand which approach is right for YOUR needs. 💆‍♀️

➡️ Deep tissue massage targets muscle tension, while clinical massage offers a tailored plan for specific pain, injuries, or postural issues.

Discover how clinical massage incorporates techniques like myofascial release and trigger point therapy for lasting relief!

👉 Read the full article: https://www.clinicalmassagemk.co.uk/deep-tissue-massage-vs-clinical-massage-whats-the-difference/

💬 Which massage technique have you tried? Share your experience in the comments!

Seeking pain relief? Understand the difference between deep tissue massage for muscle tension and clinical massage, a therapeutic approach for injury recovery and pain management. Learn which massage type suits your needs.

28/02/2025

🍀Looking for 3 people to try Reiki at a huge discount!🍀

Hey everyone!
Zuzana is nearly done with her Reiki Master training and needs 3 people to take part in a case study.
If you’ve been feeling stressed, anxious, or just want to feel more balanced, this could be a great chance to give Reiki a go!

Here’s the deal:
👉 You’ll get 4 Reiki sessions (1 hour each, on Tuesdays or Saturdays, spaced 2 weeks apart).

👉 It’s only £110 for all 4 sessions (way cheaper than usual).

👉 All she asks is for your honest feedback to help her complete her master qualification.

If you’ve ever been curious about Reiki or know someone who might be, drop us a message!

She’d love to have you involved.

09/12/2024

"Do you wake up with back pain? 😴

Let’s set your back up for success—starting the night before!

💡 Before bed:
1️⃣ Check your mattress—too soft or too hard can make a big difference. Research shows that medium-firm mattresses are the perfect fit for most people.

2️⃣ Experiment with sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees for better alignment.

3️⃣ Avoid sleeping on your belly—this puts extra strain on your lower back.

💡 In the morning:
Start with gentle movements:
1️⃣ Cat-Cow Stretch: On all fours, slowly arch and round your back. Repeat 5–10 times.

2️⃣ Figure-4 Stretch: While enjoying your morning coffee/tea, try a seated figure-4 stretch. Cross one ankle over the opposite knee and gently press down on your top knee. Hold for 20 seconds on each side.

3️⃣ Mobilise your hips: Simple bodyweight squats can do wonders. Just a few reps will help wake up your back and hips.

Ease your back into the day with care, and it’ll thank you later!

💬 Want more tips to banish morning pain? Grab my FREE Lower Back Pain Guide for step-by-step advice.

👉 Comment 'LOWER BACK GUIDE' below, and I’ll send it to you!